Why is Jesus so famous? (Challenge to atheists)

[leroy]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

 

[Rival]

I have no explanation and it has always confused me. I believe it was all based on the mistaken belief of others and them spreading this belief to other people.

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

Muhammed is generally regarded as more influential than Jesus.

So, why do YOU think they are so famous, if it is not because they were the one true prophet of God?

 

[MikeF]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

Jesus is so popular because of Emperor Constantine I 's buy in, or conversion, to Christianity. Once Christianity had the power of Empire to enforce belief, there was no going back.
Any particular details to the life of Jesus were immaterial.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

Yes, and answered the question as well.

Christianity has aggressively spread itself around the world whether at the point of a sword or through missionary work, including putting Bibles in every hotel room, televangelism, and until recently, forced prayer in public schools.

And why would anybody do that? Let's ask Napoleon:

"How can you have order in a state without religion? For, when one man is dying of hunger near another who is ill of surfeit, he cannot resign himself to this difference unless there is an authority which declares 'God wills it thus.' Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet." - Napoleon Bonaparte

And doesn't the fact that Christianity teaches exactly what a person exploiting others would want them to believe make it appealing to kings and emperors? Christianity teaches that there is virtue in poverty. That there is virtue in submission, and in suffering in silence. Be meek. Be longsuffering. Accept your lot however miserable not only because it is God's will, but because you will be rewarded after death for not rising up or complaining now.

Organized religion also serves the priestly class. It's a pretty good gig if the alternatives are daily hard labor or outdoor work.

 

[Kooky]

Here are some phenomena that might have played a factor:

• The Roman Empire
  
• The Eastern Roman Empire
• The Holy Roman Empire
• The Spanish Empire
• The Portuguese Empire
• The British Empire
• The French Empire
• The Russian Empire
  
• The American Hegemony

 

[Altfish]

In the UK...

He is taught in schools from the age of 4; every morning a prayer with his name; nativity plays every Christmas are most kids first thespian steps. Every national occasion involves religious elements.

I'd be very surprised if he wasn't famous

 

[viole]

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

That is because of the cows. At least, according to J. Diamond.

Incidentally, I just come from a vacation in the birthplace of Zeus. Why do you think Zeus was so famous in Ancient Greece?

Ciao

- viole

 

[ChristineM]

So why is Jesus so famous?

Over 30% of the world population are christian, without that jesus wouldn't even be a footnote in a history book

 

[Kooky]

Jesus is so popular because of Emperor Constantine I 's buy in, or conversion, to Christianity. Once Christianity had the power of Empire to enforce belief, there was no going back.
Any particular details to the life of Jesus were immaterial.

And Christianity wasn't particularly popular until about a century after Jesus of Nazareth's death, and didn't become a mass phenomenon inside the Roman Empire for at least another century or so. Even at the time of Constantine's deathbed conversion, it may not have been the Roman majority religion (and that's with the patronage of an imperial dynasty).

 

[QuestioningMind]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

Because he had a very effective P.R. team and once Christians attained some degree of power they ruthlessly persecuted anyone who dared to hold different beliefs.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

Constantine seems to be the obvious answer.

What in the history of Christianity do you think requires that Christ be crucified?

 

[leroy]

Muhammed is generally regarded as more influential than Jesus.

So, why do YOU think they are so famous, if it is not because they were the one true prophet of God?

We was a powerful political leader, he was an influential guy.

 

[Marcion]

His cult got the support of the Roman Emperor. But I think without the tantric-mystic teachings and tantric behaviour from Jesus as a Master to match those teachings the cult would have never grown so big.
Despite the weakening of the tantric elements by Christians, this was what sparked its growth i.m.o..

 

[Starlight]

Over 30% of the world population are christian, without that jesus wouldn't even be a footnote in a history book

You forgot this:

Jesus is also popular in islam and baha'i

 

[Justanatheist]

Jesus is so popular because of Emperor Constantine I 's buy in, or conversion, to Christianity. Once Christianity had the power of Empire to enforce belief, there was no going back.
Any particular details to the life of Jesus were immaterial.

And Theodosius making Christianity specifically Nicaean Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

 

[Starlight]

Jesus is a prophet in islam and baha'i

So why do you people only discuss christianiiy?

 

[Justanatheist]

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

Just out of interest what evidence would you require that a random guy from Palestinian had resurrected ?

 

[Starlight]

Have you ever asked yourself, why Is Jesus so famous?

He was just a random carpenter in some distant town in the middle of palestine, he was not wealthy, he had no political power, he didn’t make any contributions to science or art, he didn’t travel much, etc.

So why is Jesus so famous? How did a random carpenter/ (or fisherman) became the most important and influential person in the whole world.

For Christians that question is very easy to answer, “He resurrected” (+some other miracles) if a random guy from Palestine resurrects tomorrow he would become famous.

But from the point of view of an unbeliever, (someone who rejects the claim that Jesus resurrected) what alternative explanation do you offer? How could someone like Jesus become so famous and influential?

Jesus is popular in Christianity, Islam and Baha'i because he is a holy soul from God

 

[ChristineM]

You forgot this:

Jesus is also popular in islam and baha'i

And if Christianity hadn't taken off do you think he still would be popular in Islam and Baha'i?